TEKWILL OPENS THE DOORS TO ICT INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE

On March 15, 2017 the Tekwill ICT Excellence Center will be officially launched in Chisinau – an educational and learning platform, and an entrepreneurial hub designed to enhance the role and the potential of the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) industry in Moldova.

Built with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Sweden through Sida/Swedish International Development Agency, Tekwill aims to improve ICT sector competitiveness through adjusted educational initiatives to the industry requirements, through offering support to IT entrepreneurship, and through the creation of innovative products and services. The area of Tekwill with a surface of 3 400 m2 was provided by the Technical University of Moldova as part of the Government’s commitment to the project.

Through its activity, Tekwill will essentially contribute to solve the acute shortage of professionals that the ICT sector is currently facing, but also the lack of an ecosystem encouraging IT businesses development. Nowadays about 22,000 people are employed in the ICT area, much less than the sector needs. Therefore, Tekwill will come with training programs, corresponding to international standards; it will offer support to entrepreneurial activities and access to the global market of IT products and services. The available educational programs will cover a large number of subjects, from basic technologies to the most advanced, focusing on practical projects.

On the other hand, Tekwill will play a quintessential role in the development of IT entrepreneurship, attracting and supporting acceleration and mentorship programs, facilitating an efficient transfer of know-how, but also offering co-working spaces, events for entrepreneurs and community members, and possibilities to connect to a network of local and international investors. In the near future, the Center is also planning to launch and consolidate research and innovation within the ICT field.

Tekwill includes a complex ecosystem, endowed with the resources, the technologies and the content that will allow meeting here and now, in an efficient manner the needs of all types of beneficiaries. IT professionals, students, ICT companies, people in academia – will all ind here the initiative matching one’s own needs and expectations. Over 1,000 peopleare expected to benefit annually from the launched activities and initiatives. More information about Tekwill can be found in the Fact Sheet below.

The Official Opening of Tekwill will take place on Wednesday, March 15. The Opening Ceremony will be attended by representatives from the Government of the Republic of Moldova, development partner representatives, academia professionals, and of beneficiaries of the Center. After 09:30 AM Tekwill will open the doors to every interested person to learn about the center’s offers and opportunities that will soon be available.

Various workshops and activities will be available to visitors, as well as guided tours of the Center. In order to benefit from the best experience and to take part in the planned initiatives, the organizers are kindly asking interested persons to express their participation by registering here.

PREREQUISITES OF THE CREATION OF TEKWILL ICT EXCELLENCE CENTER

The ICT industry is one of the key sectors for the Republic of Moldova’s economic growth. However, the industry is facing today several major challenges, especially concerning the shortage of qualified human capital, but also the lack of tech and soft skills of new graduates. The development of innovative products and the start of IT businesses are stagnating because of scarcity of resources, investments, connections, experience, and knowledge.

TEKWILL’S ROLE IN THE GROWTH OF ICT SECTOR COMPETITIVENESS

Tekwill is built with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Sweden through Sida/Swedish International Development Agency. The area of Tekwill with a surface of 3 400 m2 was provided by the Technical University of Moldova as part of the Government’s commitment to the project.

The development of Tekwill started in September 2015 and it is implemented as a private-public partnership between the Moldovan Government, private industry, and the Technical University of Moldova. The support of the US Government represented by USAID, and Government of Sweden through SIDA totals 4 mln US Dollars out of almost 8 mln USD from other partners and donors as well.

Tekwill aims to improve the ICT sector competitiveness and potential through educational initiatives adjusted to the industry requirements, as well as by offering support to IT entrepreneurship, and also through offering access to well-equipped labs and advanced technologies.

Tekwill will play a quintessential role in the development of IT entrepreneurship, attracting and supporting acceleration and mentorship programs, facilitating an efficient transfer of know-how, but also offering 150 co-working spaces, 12 meeting and conference rooms, 10 offices, events for entrepreneurs and community members, and possibilities to connect to a network of local and international investors.

BENEFICIARIES

IT professionals, students, and all interested people will benefit by improving their practical skills and abilities, required by the actual industry and international standards. Entrepreneurs, future ICT business owners, and startups will find the resources, knowledge and the environment where they can launch a successful business at Tekwill.

Over the first year of the project, without being physically opened, Tekwill developed and executed both educational and entrepreneurship programs involving more than 3,000 beneficiaries, thus already becoming a well known brand within the community.